What are Grow Dat Farm Shares?

Our 31-week-long Farm Share initiative is an opportunity for customers to enjoy chemical-free, fresh produce while investing in our farm and youth leadership program. Farm Shares are a form of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), a way for the community to become “member-investors” who receive a portion of the farm’s harvest every week. For decades, CSAs have supported small-scale farmers and strengthened local food systems. Members experience the seasonal fluctuations of the farm’s produce, a process that teaches consumers more about the natural cycles of food production. Farms benefit by receiving upfront, steady income from members, minimizing some of the risks that come with small-scale farming. At Grow Dat, all Farm Share proceeds support our youth program, which nurtures the leadership skills of teenagers employed in the meaningful work of growing healthy food.

How does it work?

Farm Shares run for 31 weeks, from Oct 18 - June 30. Members are responsible for picking up their weekly produce box at our farm site in City Park on Wednesday evenings (4-6pm) or Saturday mornings (9am-12pm); members may choose pickup day while availability lasts. (Note: Farm Shares will be suspended during the following weeks: Thanksgiving week, the weeks of December 20 – Jan 13, and the week leading up to Mardi Gras: February 7 + 10). If you or a friend can’t pick-up your box for a given week, you have the option of donating that week’s share to Grow Dat youth and their families.

Your share will consist of a variety of vegetables and herbs sustainably grown on our farm and will change on a weekly basis. One share will generally supply a family of 2-4 for a week (depending on a family’s weekly vegetable intake). Each week share members receive a box of produce that will regularly include what we like to call “the base of the box:” 1) a ¼ lb. bag of our signature salad mix, 2) one bunch of kale, 3) one bunch of chard OR collards (farmer’s choice based on availability) and 4) fresh herbs. In addition to the weekly “base,” you will receive seasonal herbs and vegetables including basil, beets, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, eggplant, beans, leek, mustards, green onions, hot peppers, potatoes, radishes, sugar snap peas, squash, cherry tomatoes, tat soi, satsumas, strawberries, mulberries, ginger, turmeric, hibiscus, turnips, zucchini and more! See below table for seasonal availability.

Membership and payment

This year, we are combining the fall and spring farm shares into one membership that will last from October - June. The cost of a farm share is $775 ($25 per box value) and can be paid in full or in installments. Also, you have the option to add on Bellegarde Bakery sourdough bread to your weekly share.

We are happy to accept SNAP benefits; we offer a 50% discount to individuals who receive SNAP and also allow monthly payments. If you are interested in paying for your farm share with SNAP benefits, please e-mail or call Leo Gorman, 504.616.1777, to arrange your subscription.

Shares and pickup-dates are allotted on a first-come, first-serve basis. To learn more about becoming a member-investor in our farm, click HERE to see a more detailed description of pickup procedures, crop availability timeline, payment procedures and farmer/member commitments. Once you have thoroughly read through this information, you may register, pay, and become a member! We’re thrilled to share our harvest with you in 2017-2018!

Full Terms and Agreements for Farm Share Membership are available HERE.